Church Goth

There are many ways to be Goth. You can be a fancy dress Goth. You can be an Industrial/Metal Goth. Punk Goth, Club Goth, Anime Goth, Emo/Macabre Goth, Wiccan/Pagan Goth.

I'm sort of Emo Goth. My daily wear consists of dark jewel colors and black. Mainly tee shirts, or lace cover ups over tank tops, black boots or loafers or tennis shoes or flip flops or sandals. My tee shirts tend to have emo/ sarcastic humor sayings or skulls and roses or horror or even religious themes.

I wear black or dark nail polish and Goth jewelry. My accessories are Goth themed. Socks and stockings usually with lace or plain of dark colors. I don't pale, and the make up I wear is minimal. When I go out, which isn't often, I do choose pretty blouses or tunics and more conservative jewelry.

So, what do I wear to church? How do I blend my Goth aesthetic with my faith life? What does it mean to be a Goth anyway? Goth is a fashiophsy. The philosophy is one can see beauty in light not brightly lit, that shadows do contain beauty and grace, that comfort exists in dim and dark colors. It is not depressing or hopeless. There is humor and love and faith and hope. There might be a healthy skepticism but over all, Goth is honest.

With that honesty in mind, how do you present in Church without being dishonest to yourself? When you get up on Sunday mornings and stand in front of your closet, what should you, or more importantly, what shouldn't you wear to church. Is it okay to dress down?

This is what I do. I always wear a dress. I am a chick, so I start with the skirt. I might keep the time of the Church calendar in mind. I might choose that dark green skirt that goes down to half calf. I might pair it with a dark brown blouse. Or I might wear a dark wine skirt with a slate grey tunic. Or I may just go basic black. My accessories maybe Gothic crosses with matching earrings. My purse may be my small bat shaped purse or a simple black fabric purse. I may take some time to touch up my nail polish. As I said, I don't wear much in the way of make up, but I might wear clear lipstick I discretely wipe off before I go to Communion. Toning down your Goth look is about respect not only to God and His Church, but to your fellow parishioners. Don't distract people with your aesthetic. It is good for Catholic Goths to be there, sitting in Church, praying, being seen among the parish and working within the Church, but be mindful, even prayerful.